Due to the Corona pandemic and nationwide lockdown, the rural economy has been completely crushed these days. In order to strengthen the rural areas, the state and central governments are initiating different welfare schemes for the farmers. Moreover, the state governments are making new agricultural schemes to empower the farmers of their state.
In midst of the nationwide lockdown, the Haryana government has urged the central government to implement the ToP scheme in the state which has already implemented in UP, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh to benefit the farmers.
Haryana to allow 10 thousands Cores for Food Processing
In this series, the government of Haryana is preparing a plan to promote food-processing to give more benefits to the farmers. The state has made a provision of 10 thousand crores for food processing on behalf of the government. Moreover, central government is allowing 15 percent subsidy in this regard.
Recently, Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala said that the central and state government is working for the betterment of farmers. While reviewing the meeting, he said that the state government is working for the interest of the farmers and paddy cultivation has not been banned yet. He said that according to the productivity of fruits and vegetables of all 22 districts, a cluster map should be prepared and sent to the Union Food Processing Ministry within 15 days. At the same time, the government is also working on giving employment to more and more youth and for this, the emphasis is being given on increasing industrial areas under HSIDC.
Haryana Inked Pact with 60 Big Companies
Regarding discussion with several big companies, Chautala said that in the last four days, the state government has inspired investment in Haryana along with 60 big companies like Dell, Coca Cola. Along with this, he said that the TOP scheme which has implemented in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh has been urged by the Central Government to implement in Haryana also.
What is ToP Scheme?
Chautala said that under the ToP scheme, farmers who grow potatoes, onions and tomatoes are provided assistance by the central government for product storage. Tomato cultivation in Haryana is mostly done in Dadri and Bhiwani and onion cultivation in Palwal and Mewat.
Operation Greens
In the budget speech of Union Budget 2018-19, a new Scheme “Operation Greens” was announced on the line of “Operation Flood”, with an outlay of Rs.500 crore to promote Farmer Producers Organizations (FPOs #), agri-logistics, processing facilities and professional management. Accordingly, the Ministry has formulated a scheme for integrated development of Tomato, Onion and Potato (TOP) value chain.
Operation Greens seeks to stabilize the supply of Tomato, Onion and Potato (TOP) crops and to ensure availability of TOP crops throughout the country round the year without price volatility.
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has launched the scheme. NAFED will be the Nodal Agency to implement price stabilization measures.
